Children’s Tylenol Side Effects & SJS Lawsuits

Children’s Tylenol side effects include allergic reactions that can cause Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TENS). Our law firm works with lawyers, who can file a Children’s Tylenol lawsuit on your behalf and there is no legal fee until you receive a settlement or award. Contact us for a free consultation online or call us toll-free.

Has Your Child Suffered a Serious Side Effect after TakingChildren’s Tylenol?Call Us Now For a Free Case Evaluation!

Children’s Tylenol (acetaminophen) is commonly given to kids to relieve their cold or fever symptoms. In 1955, the FDA approved this drug for sale on the market by McNeil Consumer Healthcare and it has been available as an over-the-counter drug for many years (i). McNeil has since been acquired by Johnson & Johnson.

In recent years, the FDA has provided parents with more resources regarding medicines like Children’s Tylenol. In order to choose and administer children’s medicine safely you should check the expiration date, read the warnings, know the active ingredients, and administer the proper dose at the correct times. The FDA has specifically warned about the active ingredient in Children’s Tylenol, acetaminophen, “[t]aking too much [acetaminophen] can cause liver damage (ii).” You should closely monitor your child after he or she takes any of the following products:

Infant’s Tylenol Oral Suspension

Children’s Tylenol Oral Suspension

Children’s Tylenol Meltaways Chewable Tablets

Jr. Tylenol Meltaways Chewable Tablets

Children’s Tylenol Plus Multi-Symptom Cold

Children’s Tylenol Plus Cold

Children’s Tylenol Plus Cold & Cough

Children’s Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose

Children’s Tylenol Plus Cough & Sore Throat

Children’s Tylenol Plus Flu

Children’s Tylenol Side Effects

Some of the most common complications of Tylenol for children are drowsiness, diarrhea, or nausea. More serious side effects of the drug include swelling, liver damage, and Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Swelling can become life-threatening if the child’s airways begin to swell. Also, the liver filters active ingredients like acetaminophen from the body and large doses can cause serious damage to the organ. Finally, Stevens Johnson Syndrome is a relatively rare but very serious complication that has been increasingly associated with children’s cold and flu medicines.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome and Children’s Tylenol

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a dangerous allergic reaction that can occur after taking medicines like Children’s Tylenol. SJS can progress into a more serious condition called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TENS). Initially, a patient suffering from these conditions shows flu-like symptoms. Next, a painful rash spreads across the body causing blistering and lesions. In extreme cases, fingernails and toenails can fall out and large areas of skin can die and peel off. SJS and TENS reactions also affect the mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth, and other areas (iii). Kids who have experienced SJS and TENS side effects have also suffered permanent injuries such as:

Asthma

Blindness

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Lung damage

Permanent scarring or disfigurement

In some extreme cases, children have died.

Regrettably, there have been a number of news stories that have reported serious and upsetting SJS reactions among kids from over-the-counter medicines like Children’s Advil, Motrin, and Tylenol. One of the problems these news stories highlight is the failure of the FDA to require SJS warnings and the failure of manufacturers to voluntarily include SJS warnings. It is impossible for adults and parents who give these drugs to kids to make an informed decision without knowing the risks associated their use. If you have a child who has suffered SJS or TENS because of this drug, you need to know that there are support and legal options at your disposal. For many years, the Stevens Johnson Syndrome Foundation has been helping families cope with SJS. Additionally, a personal injury lawyer can talk to you about your legal rights.

Children’s Tylenol Lawsuits and Recall

McNeil and Johnson & Johnson have been manufacturing and marketing Tylenol products for decades. These products have given rise to lawsuits and recalls. In November 2000, three-year-old Brianna Maya was given Children’s Motrin and Tylenol to treat her fever. She suffered a severe SJS and TENS reaction that has caused her to suffer severe eye and lung damage. She suffers seizures and will never be able to have children. In 2011, a jury awarded Brianna and her family $10 million (iv). In another Children’s Tylenol lawsuit, River Moore, a two-year-old boy, died because the Very Berry Strawberry Children’s Tylenol he was given caused liver failure. He began spitting up blood only 30 minutes after taking the medicine. The family of the boy alleges that the medicine contained a higher than normal concentration of the active ingredient and is pursuing a lawsuit (v). River’s death occurred only months after a recall by McNeil and Johnson & Johnson. In April 2010, the companies recalled more than 40 over-the-counter drugs including Children’s Tylenol. The Children’s Tylenol recall was issued because negligent manufacturing practices may have caused the drugs to contain higher than normal concentrations of active ingredients and other contaminants. According to a letter from the companies, some samples of this medicine contained up to a 24% higher concentration of the active ingredient (vi).

Has Your Child Been Injured After Taking Children’s Tylenol?

If your child has suffered Children’s Tylenol side effects like SJS, then you should talk to a personal injury law firm about filing a potential Children’s Tylenol lawsuit. A knowledgeable lawyer can provide you with advice about the merits of your legal claim. Our law firm is currently working with some of the more experienced attorneys, who can file a lawsuit work and there are no fees until you receive a settlement or award.